I think that it is most important for you to understand why I do what I do. I will openly admit to anyone that I absolutely have the best job in the universe. My day consists of sharing music with children who could potentially grow up to become the next big musician, the next tech guru where music is concerned, the newest Tony Award winner, or (and this is the most important one) a person who genuinely loves music and all it has to offer! This is why I share some of the things that I do with your children. Yes... we do occasionally spend some of our music time watching youTube videos like "Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth performing Defying Gravity at the 2004 Tony Awards" or "The Ohio State Marching Band's Halftime Show". The reasoning behind this is that I want them to experience these things and enjoy music in so many different ways so they can see where it can fit in their lives. My favorite way of doing that is to show them some of the coolest things that I can find! The other thing that you must know is that I absolutely love each and every child I have ever taught. While there may have been struggles along the way, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of your kids while teaching here at The Wheatlands. If you have more coming, I can't wait to have them in my room!
And now for some Miss Rains Facts... told in pictures of course!!
I was born in Royal Oak, Michigan and moved to Illinois when I was 5. I spent all my school years in Mundelein, Illinois, graduating from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. Here I am in the middle of my cousins Kathy and Devynn when I was just a little Miss Rains!
I love to sing! I have been in too many choirs to count and absolutely love being a part of a group that can create amazing music. Here I am with one of my college choirs, third from the right in the front row!
I graduated with a Bachelors in Music Education from Millikin University in 2006. This is one of my directors and professors, Ted Hesse on graduation day.
I started teaching at The Wheatlands during the 2006-2007 school year and this is my 8th year at the school. This was on our 80s day at school... and you can tell that I very obviously work with the best group of teachers in the universe.
I LOVE to run. Running is one of my favorite hobbies. Mrs. Manny and I can sometimes be seen running around the neighborhood after school. Some of your children have even chased me on my weekend runs! I have 3 full marathons and 10 half marathons to my name, and can't wait to do more!
One of my other favorite hobbies is art. I especially love working in colored pencil and you can find me at Blick Art on the weekends frequently buying new stuff!
I have two CRAZY cats, Gilmore and Bella... of whom I know you have heard, because the kids frequently ask for stories!
I will clearly do ANYTHING for my students, include taking a pie to the face (2013) or putting a snake around my neck (2011).
The kids all know of my various obsessions, including Dunkin Donuts iced coffees, all things Wicked, random cool videos, etc. One obsession that we have talked about is Tony Award winner Idina Menzel. She was in the original cast of Wicked as Elphaba and was recently the voice of Elsa in FROZEN. I was fortunate enough to attend her concert this summer and got to meet the idol of mine and have her autograph my Wicked soundtrack!
